Electron-microscopical visualization on the interfacial and crystallographic structures of lithium metal anode

Lithium (Li) metal anodes (LMAs) have garnered significant attention as a potential solution for developing high-energy density batteries, given their theoretical specific capacity and redox potential. However, safety concerns and internal cycling stability issues originated from uncontrollable Li dendrite growth have impeded the practical application of LMAs. Probing the interface between Li metal and electrolyte is a crucial process that offers valuable insights into the characteristics and regularity of primary circular reactions. To illustrate the intrinsic characteristic of Li metal batteries (LMBs) in spatial and temporal, it is imperative to employ electron microscopes to characterize the structural components distribution of Li with atomic resolution. This paper summarizes the progress in the characterization and analysis of the interfaces in LMBs with electron microscopes based on the principles of electron-matter interactions. Finally, future trends and the potential of electron microscopes are also discussed to advance our understanding of LMBs. (c) 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.